April 1999

Pecan Newsletter

FRUIT & NUT GRAFTING DEMONSTRATION

The Victoria Pecan Growers' Association members will be conducting a Fruit and Nut Grafting Demonstration on Monday, April 12, 1999 beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church Luther Hall, 106 N. DeLeon at Constitution in Victoria. Homeowners and fruit and nut producers can truly increase productivity by grafting or budding new, improved or even the latest fad is to graft native stock to their trees. This event is being specifically held for growers, youth and homeowners. It is the feeling of the association members that too few youth have developed an interest in plants and how they can benefit and as a result they encourage parents to bring their children out to learn the art of plant propagation.

Pecan growers are one of the few remaining groups of people that actively utilize this old art of plant propagation. A gardener from Louisiana named "Antonie" in 1845 is credited as the first to successfully propagate pecans. Since the 1950's, grafting has really been refined and as a result is more successfully accomplished by even the novices today. With today's small yards and landscape space, it's not uncommon for a homeowner to have four pecan trees with ten to twenty varieties on nuts produced on those trees. Likewise, fruit trees can successfully be grafted with several varieties of fruits on one tree.

There are now numerous methods of budding and grafting fruits, nuts and other trees. Discussed and demonstrated will be the following propagation techniques:

Inlay Grafting T-Budding

Four-Flap or "Banana" Grafting Patch Budding

Whip Grafting Greenwood Grafting and other methods

The program is open to the public with no charge for the two-hour presentation.

JUNE 22^ND PECAN BAR-B-QUE / EDUCATIONAL MEETING

Victoria County Pecan Growers' Association President Howard Spies and the Pecan Growers' Committee will host their annual barbecue and educational event at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 22^nd at the Trinity Luther Church Luther Hall, 106 N. DeLeon at Constitution (downtown). Henry Wolff, Victoria Advocate columnist, will present the program. Members can attend for free. Dues to become a member are $5.00 each (see below). You can't beat a deal like that! See you Thursday.

JUST $5.00 DUES

It's time to pay your Pecan Association dues - only $5.00 per person gets you a free meal at the June 22^nd annual BBQ. Mail them to our new Treasurer Henry Janak, 837 Wischkaemper Rd., Victoria, Texas 77905.

Name_____________________________Address________________________________

City_____________________ State_____ Zip___________ Phone #_________________

Amount Enclosed $__________

78^TH ANNUAL TEXAS PECAN GROWERS CONFERENCE

The 78^TH Annual Pecan Growers Conference and Trade Show will be held July 11-14, 1999 in Abilene, Texas at the Abilene Convention Center. Those that wish to attend can call the Embassy Suites Hotel in Abilene for accommodations. For more information about the show and/or other accommodations, please contact the Texas Pecan Growers' Association at 409/846-3285.

SHADETREE CATERPILLAR INVASION

This is the time we begin to see defoliation of trees by caterpillar pests. On oaks the caterpillar species include forest tent caterpillar, whitemarked tussock moth and others. This season I have observed another oak feeding tussock moth caterpillar (Dasychira sp). We have not determined the exact species; the genus contains about 20 species in North America. Mature larvae are very hairy and have two long "hair pencils" in front and three hair pencils in the rear. It appears to me that, unlike the whitemarked tussock moth, this species feeds only on the old leaves. The hairs of the species are somewhat poisonous to humans, causing a skin rash or other form of allergy.

None of these caterpillars are difficult to control with appropriate insecticides IF treatments are applied to medium sized or smaller caterpillars. Adequate plant coverage is also essential. Don't wait until you see damage from a distance. Look closely, at your trees every few days to detect small caterpillars.

HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL DAYS SET

Agricultural producers across the state have the chance to do some spring cleaning with the help of the Texas Country Clean Up and the Hazardous Waste Pesticide Disposal program, sponsored by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service and the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission. The programs are funded through registration fees paid by chemical companies that sell pesticides in Texas.

Materials accepted include banned or unwanted pesticides (except 2-4, 5T or pentachlorophenol), household hazardous wastes, oil, oil filters and batteries and rinsed plastic pesticide containers.

Date Time Location

April 17 8:00 - 3:00 Fort Bend County Fairgrounds in Rosenberg

April 20 8:00 - 3:00 Yoakum, Texas Department of Transportation, Hwy. 77A on Bus. 77 Loop

WIDESPREAD HONEYBEE DEATHS PROMPT ACTION

Almost 90 percent of wild honey bees have died over the past several years and managed hives have declined by 50 percent since 1985. This may cause trouble for Texas produce and wildflowers this spring. Industry officials say the disappearance of honey bees could greatly reduce production of some 90 Texas crops, in turn causing economic losses and shortages of fruits and vegetables. But a cooperative effort by state and federal agencies hopes to turn the situation around. Officials are asking the Texas Legislature for 1.4 million dollars over the next two years. Texas A&M Entomology Department Head Ray Frisbie says the goal of the program is to ensure that the goods and services of honey bees are protected and enhanced.

Pecans are wind pollinated so won't be affected but fruits and vegetables may be hurt the most.

Sincerely,

Joseph D. Janak, Jr. Chapel Schuessler

County Extension Agent - Ag County Extension Agent - Ag

Victoria County Victoria County

JDJ:CS:vaf

cc: Lin Wilson